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Can Cleveland Indians repair Team Clank with trade? Hey, Hoynsie!

Mike Aviles

Can a trade help the Indians' defense, which has been playing from the seat of its pants since the start of the season as demonstrated by shortstop Mike Aviles last week against Kansas City?
(Colin E. Braley/Associated Press)

Hey, Hoynsie: I just don't feel that the defense is good enough to get the Indians to the World Series with guys like Nick Swisher,Carlos Santana and Lonnie Chisenhall in the field. Who do you expect to be available at the trade deadline or are the Indians working on something now? – Branch Connally, Salem.

Hey, Branch: I agree, the defense won't support a playoff team. Right now it can't support a .500 team, but are you suggesting that the Indians go out and trade for "defense' at the deadline?

In 2004, the Red Sox did just that in a multi-team deal at the end of July which brought them shortstop Orlando Cabrera from Montreal and first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz from the Twins. It helped first-year manager Terry Francona win the World Series, but the Red Sox could afford to improve their defense because they had Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz hitting in the middle of the lineup.

Swisher and Santana were supposed to be major offensive contributors. Chisenhall has been the biggest offensive surprise of the season. I don't think the roster is balanced enough to trade one of them strictly for defense.

You could make a case for bringing up Francisco Lindor to play short and trade Asdrubal Cabrera, but he certainly hasn't helped his trade value and is Lindor ready to play every day in the big leagues?

Hey, Hoynsie: Before the season I asked what you thought Justin Masterson's value might be in a trade, having the feeling he wasn't going to sign an extension. We are closer to the trade deadline and Masty has proven he's not the mufti-million dollar ace he was being touted as. What are your feelings about his value and chances of staying with the Tribe now? – Dwain Slaevn, Dade City, Fla.

Hey, Dwain: I think the possibility of the Indians trading Masterson depends on how long they stay in the race and how much GM Chris Antonetti believes that the team he put together is a real contender.

Masterson's drop in velocity and rocky start to the season are a red flag to any contender. He showed improvement recently, but struggled again in Boston on Friday night. Perhaps he can re-establish himself, while helping the Indians along the way.

Hey, Hoynsie: When a player is on a rehab assignment, how is it decided whether he goes to Lake County, Akron or Columbus, and who is responsible for watching him and making the assessment of his condition? – Karen McKeehan, Cleveland Heights.

Hey, Karen: The convenience of the injured player is usually taken into consideration. If Lake County is playing at home in Eastlake, while Akron and Columbus are on the road, the player is usually sent to Lake County. One of the good things about having three farms teams so close.

Should a player, such as Zach McAllister, need an upgrade in competition, he'll go to Class AAA Columbus regardless of where they're playing. McAllister, recovering from a strained lower back, traveled to Charlotte, N.C., to pitch for Columbus last week.

The Indians have trainers, managers and coaches at all levels of the minors to evaluate rehabbing players. They have roving instructors who can come in and watch a player. GM Chris Antonetti and Ross Atkins, director of player development, go to watch certain players perform on rehab assignments.

Hey, Hoynsie: The Michael Bourn bobblehead made me wonder: Do players get a chance to approve promotions around their names, and especially their image? Or do they waive all that with their contract? What if the Bourn bobblehead was really, really bad instead of just really not looking a bit like him? – P.J. Bednarski, Piperville, Pa.

Hey, P.J.: I talked to Masterson, the Indians' player rep and member of the MLBPA's executive council, and he that said players don't get to approve items such as bobbleheads that are given away by the team at the ballpark as promotional items.

They do receive a share of the licensing fees from sponsors who use images of players for baseball cards, videos, posters etc.

Hey, Hoynsie: I have not heard the banging of John Adams' drum lately, is he still pounding the skins at the game? – Rick Knuckles, Bellevue.

Hey, Rick: I hear Adams' bass drum in my sleep. I can assure you, he's still a resident bleacher creature at Progressive Field.

Hey, Hoynsie: Why is there a uniformed policeman on the field at Progressive Park during a game? Is this really necessary? – Perry Marker, Bodega Bay, Calif.

Hey, Perry: There are policemen at every big-league ballpark. They are there for the protection of the fans, players, umpires, managers and coaches.

Hey, Hoynsie: I wanted to know if their is a reason for Nyjer Morgan's stumbling and falling. First, he stumbled and fell going into first base. Then right after that he stumbled in left field, fell and was injured. What's up with that? Is it just bad luck? – Bruce Allen, Land O Lakes, Fla.

Hey, Bruce: I miss Morgan, don't you?

I think it was bad luck and the artificial turf at the Rogers Centre that led to his right knee injury on May 14. Morgan was charging in from left field for a line drive because Corey Kluber had a perfect game going. When he realized he wasn't going to make the catch, he tried to pull up, but his right foot caught on the turf as he turn to pursue the ball that bounced past him.

Morgan is currently rehabbing the injury at the Indians spring training site in Goodyear, Ariz. He's on the 60-day disabled list.

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